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calm

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noun

calm

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word calm different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of calm are peaceful, placid, serene, and tranquil. While all these words mean "quiet and free from disturbance," calm often implies a contrast with a foregoing or nearby state of agitation or violence.

the protests ended, and the streets were calm again

When is peaceful a more appropriate choice than calm?

In some situations, the words peaceful and calm are roughly equivalent. However, peaceful implies a state of repose in contrast with or following strife or turmoil.

grown peaceful in old age

When might placid be a better fit than calm?

The words placid and calm can be used in similar contexts, but placid suggests an undisturbed appearance and often implies a degree of complacency.

remained placid despite the criticism

When would serene be a good substitute for calm?

Although the words serene and calm have much in common, serene stresses an unclouded and lofty tranquility.

watched the sunset of a serene summer's evening

When can tranquil be used instead of calm?

The synonyms tranquil and calm are sometimes interchangeable, but tranquil suggests a very deep quietude or composure.

the tranquil beauty of a formal garden

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of calm
Adjective
On a noisy train or in a crowded cafe, the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC makes everything feel quiet and calm. Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 11 Sep. 2025 But the worries quickly faded as the day began with calm waters. Amelia Wu, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
The calm within the storm The summer didn’t just bring better results. Zach Sweet, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025 The consumer trend of seeking calm and wellness could be driving declines for Sin City. Dave Smith, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
This gentle gel formula, made with nourishing oat and calming feverfew, lifts away dirt and impurities without stripping your skin's natural moisture barrier. Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025 The space is also brighter, with more natural light and a more calming color scheme. Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for calm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for calm
Adjective
  • On highways and surface roads in the rural countryside west of Detroit, the 2025 Ford Explorer was smooth and quiet, with plenty of power for highway acceleration.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The peak of hurricane season is here, and activity could soon ramp up, despite the relative quiet currently occurring in the tropics, according to meteorologists.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Lakes offer a different rhythm — more serene but just as active.
    Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Along the mostly untouched northern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula sits serene Sisal, a peaceful beach destination bringing increasingly more visitors to the region.
    Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • What began as a peaceful protest escalated after the government deployed a heavy security presence in the protest area.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Where to stay A 20-minute walk from Tiananmen Square and the entrance to the Forbidden City is the PuXuan Hotel and Spa, an oasis of 116 peaceful rooms.
    Mae Hamilton, AFAR Media, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Trump called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to express concern about the attack and talk about the need for peace in the region.
    Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The viola is like an extension of him, his daily tuning is a meditative practice that brings him a unique peace.
    Lauren Morrow September 9, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The positive experience of being soothed, whether through calming words, laughter or playful connection, encourages a preference for partners who are attuned and responsive.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • But one way to distract and soothe your temperamental toddler might be through music.
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Advertisement The panel has already obtained roughly 33,000 pages of records from the Justice Department, though Democrats have complained those disclosures contained little new information.
    Nik Popli, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Eventually, the Nepali army was deployed to contain the situation.
    Rajeev Tyagi, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Tucked along the Current River, Blue Spring is a tranquil, can’t-miss spot in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.
    Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 31 Aug. 2025
  • Water features are a key component thanks to their tranquil sound and rhythmic flow.
    Laura Fenton, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The vocabulary being used by Qatar’s prime minister is strong, evocative and damning, a departure from his usual composed response to the incessant twists and turns of trying to end the 23-month war in Gaza.
    Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Remember, significant wealth can be created in the market by those who maintain a composed and strategic approach during times of volatility.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Calm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calm. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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